Patti Sapone/The Star-LedgerNew Jersey lawmakers hold the first meeting of the New Jersey Gaming Summit in Atlantic City today. Democrats hosted the summit addressing the future of gambling in New Jersey.

ATLANTIC CITY — A state panel of Democratic legislators started taking testimony this morning about a controversial recommendation, endorsed by Republican Gov. Chris Christie, to take over the gaming and entertainment district of Atlantic City and eliminate live horseracing in New Jersey.

The 2010 Gaming Summit, convening at the Atlantic City Convention Center, opened with applause to a red-coated bugler belting out the traditional "call to post’’ before lawmakers got into the nitty-gritty of the so-called Hanson Report released last month.

The panel, which will also meet at the Meadowlands and in Trenton in the future, is taking testimony from casino executives, building trades and contractors, vendors and resort hotel workers. The members also heard from Atlantic City Mayor Lorenzo Langford and two city council members, who said they welcomed the assistance, but want a partnership rather than a dictatorship.

Mark Juliano, CEO of Trump Entertainment Resorts and president of the New Jersey Casino Association, urged the panel to reject the proposed spreading of gambling, including video lottery terminals to other parts of the state.

"Authorizing slot machines, VLTs or table games elsewhere in the state would not only take substantial gaming revenue from our casino resorts, but, far more importantly, would present a substantial obstacle to the ability of this market to attract the private capital needed to revitalize the city and the casino industry,’’ Juliano said.

Christie touts state takeover of Atlantic City gambling as new beginning

Christie touts state takeover of Atlantic City gambling as new beginningGov. Chris Christie announced his support for an ambitious plan issued by a special commission tasked with making the state’s failing gaming industry profitable. During stops at the Meadowlands and Atlantic City, the governor touted the commission’s recommendations as bold, aggressive and necessary. Among the proposals: privatizing horse racing and a state takeover of the Atlantic City casino and entertainment district. At a well-attended talk at the Atlantic City Convention Center, Christie’s hands-on approach was well received. (Video by Nyier Abdou/The Star-Ledger)